Ryanair is Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers and the airline most responsible for democratizing air travel across the continent. Founded in 1984 in Dublin, Ryanair pioneered the ultra-low-cost model in Europe, stripping out every service to offer rock-bottom base fares. Today it operates over 2,400 daily flights to more than 200 destinations across 40 countries. For travelers who can pack light and remain flexible on dates, Ryanair offers genuinely remarkable value — return flights within Europe for under €30 total are regularly available on promotional fares.
The key to flying Ryanair economically is understanding its fee structure. The base fare covers only a small personal bag that fits under the seat. Everything else — a larger carry-on bag, checked baggage, seat selection, airport check-in, and even printing a boarding pass at the airport — incurs additional charges. Pre-book bags online when purchasing your ticket, select your seats in advance if you care where you sit, and always use the app to check in. Done right, Ryanair offers unbeatable value. Done wrong, the final price can exceed a full-service carrier.
Ryanair's baggage fees are famously complex — always pre-book bags online rather than at the airport, where fees are significantly higher.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | ★★☆☆ |
| Price | ★★★★ |
| Reliability | ★★★☆ |
| Routes | ★★★★★ |
| Baggage | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Overall | 3.2/5 |
Add baggage during booking — adding bags at the airport costs 2-3x more with budget carriers.
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